news Matt Climie, a former Bemidji State University and current NHL goalie, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday for misdemeanor theft.
Matthew Scott Climie, 26, stole the letter "A" from the sign for the Snowflake Lodge Café in downtown Bemidji on Aug.
Bemidji, 56619

Bemidji Minnesota P.O. Box 455 56619

2012-08-06 12:35:21

Matt Climie, a former Bemidji State University and current NHL goalie, pleaded guilty and was sentenced Thursday for misdemeanor theft.

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Matthew Scott Climie, 26, stole the letter "A" from the sign for the Snowflake Lodge Café in downtown Bemidji on Aug. 24 while with a woman, who has not been charged.

Climie, appearing before Beltrami County District Judge Shari Schluchter, was given a stay of adjudication for one year; ordered to have no contact with the café's owner, Lonnie Sempel; to have no contact or presence at the Snowflake Lodge, no matter where it may be located; pay $500 in court costs; and serve 20 hours of community service. He also was ordered to pay $690 in restitution.

Under a stay of adjudication, the offender's guilty plea is not accepted. If he follows the conditions of the court throughout its duration, the charge is dismissed and he is not convicted of the offense.

Sempel, while speaking at court, said nine letters were stolen from the Snowflake Lodge on separate occasions.

Climie was charged in connection with the theft of one of the stolen letters.

While addressing the court, Sempel said she and her business were greatly affected due to the thefts.

"To us, this has changed our lives," she said, explaining that the café lost business without proper signage and she also suffered due to stress.

Climie apologized for the incident.

"My judgment wasn't there. I have no excuse for it," he said. "I wish I could take that night back."

Climie was identified as one of two suspects involved in the theft of the letter Aug. 24 based on video surveillance at the café, according to police records. He was shown with a woman, who was never charged in connection with the theft. The woman told police she was present during the theft of one letter, the "A," and identified Climie as the male suspect in the surveillance video.

He was mailed a citation for misdemeanor theft - take/use/transfer movable property without consent. The charge requires a court appearance.